Panel recommends changes for Fla. water companies

A study panel is recommending that privately owned utilities be penalized for failing to meet state water quality standards.

That was among several proposals in a report Friday by the Study Committee on Investor-owned Water & Wastewater Utility Systems.

The Legislature created the 18-member panel last year.

It recommended a law change so the Florida Public Service Commission can penalize utilities that don't meet water quality requirements set by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

To cut rate case expenses, the panel recommended limits on consultant and attorney fees. It also said utilities should forfeit any unrecovered rate case expenses from prior cases instead of passing them on to customers.

The committee also proposed that private utilities be allowed to use state purchasing contracts to cut material and equipment costs.